Naidu replies on Religion Conversion Issue in LS, Opp stages Walkout

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 19:26:46 IST

New Delhi, Dec 11: The opposition parties created ruckus in Lok Sabha after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that he was proud of having the RSS background, which he credits for his discipline.

While replying to the House on behalf of the government on the issue of religion conversion in Uttar Pradesh, Naidu remained defensive when the opposition members accused the RSS and BJP of spreading communalism through religion conversion.

The minister said, "RSS is a great organisation, I am proud of my RSS background" in Lok Sabha today, adding "If they accuse and insult our mother organisation, we will not sit silent. This statement sparked massive uproar and the SP walked out of the House.

During the heated debate in Parliament over conversion row, Naidu said that Re-conversion is a national challenge and accusing political parties is not a solution.

"It is a national challenge; it is not happening only today, it has been happening. Conversion has happened not only in UP, but has earlier also happened in different states.But some people are trying to influence as if the government has done all this. However, we have come in power only 7 months back", he said.

Accusing the state government of such deed, he said, "Law and order is a state subject. How is the Centre responsible for any of the events in Agra?" ''

Replying to the House he said that the DM of Agra, where 57 Muslim families were allegedly reconverted to Hinduism, reported him that there was peace in the region. He said that the communal violence has decreased indeed after the Narendra Modi-led BJP government came in power. However, it is the propaganda the opposition parties are doing about the communal tension in the country, he alleged.

"You should have the patience for 365 days for 5 years, 24 hours a day. Freedom of faith is enshrined in the Constitution, everyone should respect this", he said.

Referring to Gandhi's view on the conversion, he said, "Gandhi said that he disbelieved in the conversion of one person by another. Gandhi said the deadliest poison to the fountain of truth was conversion".

"I just had a discussion with the home ministry officials, they told me they are in touch with Uttar Pradesh", adding "Law and order is a state subject, but I do not want to blame UP; it may happen in any other state too".

He strongly reacted to the comment that RSS was behind the conversion. he said, "These people spoke against RSS, the government. What is the link between RSS and this discussion?"

"Even Sardar Patel had admitted that mass conversion took place in India at that time. Then why do you insult the belief of other people when it does not harm the development of the country?" asked Naidu.

He proposed that there should be anti-conversion laws in this country to control the religion conversion. But the opposition should not defame the government and the prime minister for this problem, he added.

"We are very clear about our agenda. We will be working very hard on the agenda promised to the people. You are expected to behave in a more mature manner", he said describing Hindutva is not a word for just Hindus.

Lastly, he appealed to the Opposition members to seriously introspect over the issue after being disappointed with the behaviour shown by them in the House. He hit out at them saying they are like a stuck record. They repeat things like a broken record.